"President, I have no intention of inconveniencing Takanashi-san for my own sake," Sara-senpai said, clearly intending to decline on that basis.
Knowing her personality, the idea of causing me trouble was likely the very thing she wanted to avoid most. After all, if the roles were reversed, I would have said the exact same thing.
However, I had no intention of turning down this proposal. I wasn't doing this just to "repay a favor" or anything like that; I simply wanted to do it.
I didn't know what I would be capable of yet, but if I could be even the slightest help to Senpai, I felt this was an offer I had to accept.
"President, I’ll take you up on that offer. To be honest, I don’t know what I’ll be able to do, and I’m not sure how much I can contribute as a Student Council Member, but if I can be of any help to Sara-senpai, then I want to try."
"Takanashi-san, I..."
Sara-senpai tried to object again.
Of course, if I were in her shoes, I’d be doing the same. That was why I cut in.
"Sara-senpai, if our positions were reversed... if I were the Vice President and you saw me struggling with all this work, what would you do?"
"Well, of course, if there were anything I could do to help you, Takanashi-san, I would gladly—oh."
As I thought, she felt the same way I did. If that was the case, she should be able to understand my feelings as well.
"I see... Takanashi-san, are you absolutely sure this isn't a burden? Joining the Student Council Executive Committee means taking part in the administration of school events. You won't be able to simply enjoy them as a student anymore, and it will take up a lot of your time. Even so..."
"Even so, if I can be even a little help to you, Sara-senpai, I want to do it."
I looked her straight in the eye to show her I was serious, conveying exactly what I thought. She hesitated for a moment, but eventually, Senpai nodded.
"Takanashi-san, I look forward to working with you."
"The pleasure is mine. I'll do my best."
With that, I was officially in a position to help Sara-senpai. All that was left was to learn the ropes and work as hard as I could.
"That solves the problem regarding Satsukawa-san's support... Things might get a lot easier to manage now."
"Now we just have to solve the problem with the rest of these guys."
"Solving that is impossible. After seeing how in sync those two are, there's no room for anyone else to cut in... The way they retreat into their own world without even realizing it... I'm a little worried about the future."
" " "..." " "
It sounded like they were saying something over there, but honestly, it didn't matter to me, so I wasn't really listening. More importantly, I needed to start thinking about my new responsibilities.
"Then it's settled," the President said. "Takanashi-kun, welcome to the Student Council. I'm counting on you from here on out."
"Yes, sir. I'm looking forward to it."
When I bowed to the room, a round of applause broke out. When I looked up, Sara-senpai was wearing a radiant smile. The President and the female officers were smiling too, but the male officers... their smiles were a bit strained.
And so, I became a member of the Student Council Executive Committee, serving as Sara-senpai’s support staff.
"We'll do proper introductions another time. For today, let's head home."
With the meeting dismissed, I figured it was time for us to leave as well. To be honest, the day's events had finally caught up with me.
Before I realized it, Sara-senpai had already brought my bag over from the break room. She was as efficient as ever.
"Takanashi-san, thank you for your hard work today, especially since you're still feeling under the weather. Let's head back. Is your relative coming over today?"
"Ah... no, they said they were busy or something."
I had completely forgotten about that excuse. Though, I had a feeling Sara-senpai would forgive me even if I told her the truth.
"In that case, I'll prepare dinner for you today as well. You're still recovering from illness, so you must get proper nutrition, all right?"
"...She said 'as well'..."
"Wait, did she say she's cooking for him at his house?! That's so bold..."
" " "Guaaaa!" " "
Neither of us realized we had dropped a massive bombshell right as we were leaving.
After finishing the feast Senpai had prepared and taking it easy for a while, my phone rang.
By the way, when I offered to walk her home, she got angry and told me to stay in bed and rest.
The caller was Yuji. Lately, we had been talking much more often than we used to.
"Hey, Yuji."
"Hey, Kazunari. How was your first day back? Rough being in recovery?"
"Well, a lot happened. I’m pretty exhausted."
I had already told Yuji about the cold, and he knew Sara-senpai had been coming over to look after me. Incidentally, Yuji had told me he’d stay away so he didn't get in the way of my recovery.
After I filled him in on the day's events and the Student Council situation, Yuji’s voice took on a serious tone.
"Hey, Kazunari, can I ask you something?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"How do you actually feel about Satsukawa-san?"
"What do you mean...?"
"I know you're fixated on the fact that she asked you to be her friend."
"..."
As long as I stayed in the position Sara-senpai wanted me in, I could stay by her side. That was why I couldn't allow myself to hope for anything more; I didn't want to risk the happiness I had right now.
"Look, just tell me one thing. This is just between us; it won't ever reach her ears. So give it to me straight."
"All right."
"Do you like Satsukawa-san? I mean, do you like her as a woman?"
There was no need to even ask. If we were talking about my true feelings, the answer had been decided long ago.
"Yeah. I love Sara-senpai. I really do... but..."
"No, hearing that is enough. I get it. Thanks for being honest with me. Well then, goodnight... (I got the answer Yuzuki-san was looking for, but it looks like I'll need to ask her to help with the follow-up instead.)"
With that, Yuji hung up.
He was right. I was in love with Sara-senpai.
But if I were to confess those feelings and lose the place she had carved out for me, then I...